Cox is a former Republican member of the Utah House of Representatives, representing District 32 from 2011 to 2012. He was elected to be the party nominee in a special election on January 6, 2011, to replace Ron Bigelow who announced on December 22, 2010, he was to be the Executive Director of the Governor's Office of Planning and Budget as of January 1, 2011. Cox was appointed January 10, 2011, by Governor Gary Herbert and completed Bigelow's term in 2012.[2][3]

Cox has served as a State Republican Delegate, an elected member of the State Republican Central Committee representing Salt Lake County, the Salt Lake County Republican House District 32 Chair, and a campaign volunteer and/or consultant for several state and local races starting in 1994. He has been involved in government affairs for both AIA Utah and ChamberWest Regional Chamber of Commerce along with church based community service.[4]

Issues

Campaign themes

Excerpt: "As a taxpayer and architect, I see the money spent on buildings and will continue to advocate for an improved balance between cost savings and quality to the process. We can reduce costs while still maintaining the quality. Teachers often do not have the supplies they need, and in most cases deserve more pay for the critical work they do. Education funding is too complex and enough funding doesn’t make it to the classroom. I will work to bring more money to the classroom. Because of government regulation, teachers are fighting to teach the student. We don't need the anchor of governmental red tape hurting education with oppressive paperwork and a one size fits all approach. I will continue to promote parent and local control of education.."

Clean Air and Water

Excerpt: "I received an award from Salt Lake Solar Day 2012 for sponsoring 2012 H.B. 262 Building Code Amendments, and continued working to adopt the current IECC (energy code for houses and buildings) during the 2013 session. That bill passed and the current code will be effective July 1, 2014. The amount of energy use and pollution caused by buildings is critical. I also worked for over a year to increase flexibility and ability for property owners to capture and use storm / rain water. At the end of the 2013 session, that bill passed the House, 75 to 0, and was signed by the Governor. We should be good stewards of the land, Extremes on both sides of this issue hurts our ability to live and work in our great state."

Your Rights

Excerpt: "The US Constitution specifically states: "The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people." The government continues to trample on this and others of our constitutional protected rights. The government powers are not only separated in 3 branches, but between the Federal and the States. This is an area that is worth fighting for Utahns. We can't continue to let government take over of our lives."

A Stable and Growing Economy

Excerpt: "Utah is the best fiscally managed state. Utah repeats this year as Forbes top 3 Best States for Business and Careers. Many families are still struggling. We need to continue to improve. The Economy will grow when Government will allow it. In many cases Government is holding business growth back through too many regulations."

Committee assignments

2011-2012

In the 2011-2012 legislative session, Cox served on the following committees:

Scorecards

The Sutherland Institute Scorecard

The Sutherland Institute, "a conservative public policy think tank" in Utah, releases its Scorecard for Utah State Representatives and Senators once a year. The Score Card gives each legislator a score based on how they voted in the prior legislative term on specific issues which the Sutherland Institute thought were pro-conservative policies.[8]